Customer Reviews

The Organic Chem Lab Survival Manual: A Student's Guide to Techniques, 4th Edition

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This volume provides a plethora of information on equipment and techniques for introductory organic chemistry laboratory. It is best suited for first year organic sequence. A great deal of info includes keeping a lab notebook, experiment glasswares, separation techniques and IR spectroscopy. A particular section that I find helpful and handy is the discussion on jointware. The distinction and usage on different kinds of adaptation jointwares can be confusing. I believe Zubrick's book is one of the few out in the field that actually discusses the use of different jointware. The section "To Grease or not to grease" discusses whether or not to use a lubricant and when to use lubricant. For a novice organic lab student who is both confused and overwhelmed by massive equipment in the lab, this book is the perfect primer. Yet the information might be oversimplified and scarce to advanced student and lab chemist. Coverage on topics like TLC, distillation theory, spectroscopy could be more in-depth and detailed. I recommend this book for beginning students. For more advanced students, they should consult Vogel's "Practical Organic Chemistry".

I would recommend this book only for the absolute beginner in organic chemistry. While it does much to inspire confidence in the novice student, some of Prof. Zubrick's explanations of laboratory techniques could be a little more detailed. A better bet is Advanced practical organic chemistry, by Leonard, Procter and Lygo.

Professor Zubrick cuts to the heart of the intimidating subject of Organic Chemistry. His dry, even warped sense of humor is a welcome break from the usual style found in chemistry texts. This book is worth reading even if you're not taking Organic Chem! As some of the other reviewers say, it is not a daily reference for the practicing organic chemist, but for anyone taking O Chem I or II, it is an absolute must-have! The numerous diagrams help make sense of which part is which, and how they go together. The detail Prof. Zubrick provides is sufficient without being excessive, which makes reading this book actually fun for anyone. His explanations will make you snicker, if not laugh out loud! If you're the only student in the class with this book, keep a close eye on it, it may grow legs. I promise (if you have a sense of humor), you'll enjoy this book more than most others, on this topic or otherwise!

Zubrick's manual gives a comprehensive overview of fundamental lab methods. I've found it to be very useful on many ocassions. However, some of the explanations could be improved with discussion of the theory, especially the sections on chromatography. Even so, it's cheaper than other books and explains many techniques very well.

I have had the opportunity to use this great manual for two semesters; it continues to be a permanent fixture to my hip. O. Chem can be and is for some a very difficult subject but Professor Zubrick has the rare talent of making the lab understandable and less of a fearful experience. Through his knowledgeable insight as well as his calm but "safety-first" attitude I have truly become an Organic Chemistry fan ("geek"). Thank you for all the laughs and wonderful guidance your manual has provided me throughout the two semesters. I recommend this manual to any O. Chem students, enthusiasts, as well as professors. Hope Professor Zubricks' next manual/book is as enjoyable to read...can't wait!

This book is the most immediately useful and user friendly chem textbook I have ever purchased. Written with delightful wit, the Survivor Manual sent me into lab feeling confident, prepared and ready to relax and enjoy the experience. I used it constantly in pre-lab, in experiment trouble-shooting and it was invaluable in lab write-up. Without it I would have wasted alot of time and effort. Org. Chem. students do not need any additional unnecessary stress and this book greatly lessened mine. I can't think of a time when I had a question in lab that was not addressed in the Survivor Manual.

An excellent book for anyone whos interested in organic chemistry, but doesn't know where to begin. Zubrick's "serious humor" gives the book an "interesting" tone... I'd recomend it to anyone, it's well worth the money!

This is a great book to have for anyone taking an organic chemistry lab. It is very informative and comprehensive, and while you wouldn't think it because it is an o-chem book, it is also very readable and even funny at times. This is a great resource and I am glad I purchased it. It has certainly helped me to understand lab activities better.

very helpful for organic chemistry lab, very clear directions and the author writes in a way geared towards students so it is funny

I wish all science text books could be this entertaining. I think I'd learn a lot more if they were. It's clear and easy to read. It gives me the vital info I need to know with mucking it up in a bunch of flowery scientific language that one would tend to get bogged down in. Zubrick should teach an English course on humor and tone.